Victory won't scare Aussies

Andy Lloyd is a former England Test cricketer who has also served as captain and chairman of Warwickshire.

Andy Lloyd

IN terms of Test cricket, there is little more England can do now before the Ashes series starts in Cardiff on 8 July.<br /><br />My advice to Andrew Strauss&rsquo; men following their comprehensive series success over the West Indies this last fortnight is to savour the moment and take confidence from your victory.<br /><br />It&rsquo;s true the Windies are not Australia when it comes to being a Test force, but you can only beat the team put in front of you and England did that impressively.<br /><br /><strong>INFERIORITY COMPLEX</strong><br />Australia would have expected England to roll over the Windies in these seam-friendly conditions, and you can rest assured that Ricky Ponting and his men will not demonstrate any inferiority complex when they select their side for the Ashes today.<br /><br />The West Indies are a poor Test outfit, especially on these shores, and while I don&rsquo;t believe this series victory will impact the outcome of the Ashes, it has certainly taken England a vital step forward in their development.<br /><br />The bowling attack, in particular, with Graham Onions enjoying a fine introduction to the Test scene and the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann taking their performances to new levels, certainly benefited from the experience. Tim Bresnan also enjoyed his moment in the second Test at Durham, and that was probably enough for the selectors to persuade Ryan Sidebottom to return to Nottinghamshire a little while longer to regain some form. That said, I fear Bresnan will be the one to step aside when Fragile Freddie finally makes his return.<br /><br />But with Test duties put aside, all focus now is on the limited overs game with England taking on the West Indies in three one-day internationals before the Twenty20 World Cup gets underway in the first week of June.<br /><br />The West Indies are a different animal in the one-day game and with many of England&rsquo;s Test regulars now involved in the one-day set-up, coach Andy Flower will be looking for consistency in performances, starting with the first game at Headingley tomorrow.